Latrell Mitchell contract news: Luke Keary insists Roosters players love unsettled star
While on the surface it appears Latrell Mitchell is destined to exit the Sydney Roosters, teammate Luke Keary has unexpectedly weighed in on the unsettled star who took to social media to embrace his current club.
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Teammate Luke Keary says he would love Latrell Mitchell to stay and chase a third-straight NRL premiership with the Sydney Roosters, stressing he remains popular with the players.
The Roosters recently pulled an upgraded contract offer of a reported $2.4 million over three years to Mitchell as he continues to explore his options.
The 22-year-old star has been linked with NRL rivals Wests Tigers, North Queensland, Canterbury and Gold Coast and was also reportedly shopped to Super League newcomers Toronto Wolfpack.
It has also been suggested the Roosters could make him play for feeder side North Sydney for the remaining season of his deal if he doesn’t find another club.
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But five-eighth Keary doesn’t feel that way.
“One hundred per cent; I love him (Mitchell),” Keary told AAP at the Australian Open golf pro-am in Sydney on Wednesday.
“I’ve played next to him for the last four or five years and I’d love him to stay.
“He’s one of the best players in the game and he’s a good person. We all love him.
“He’s produced for us over the last four or five years.”
Keary, who himself faced a career-defining decision to leave South Sydney in 2016 after their 2014 premiership triumph, encouraged Mitchell to take time with his decision.
“A lot of different things play into that decision; it’s big,” Keary said.
“He’s got a baby and he’s got (another) baby on the way. He’s got a family, his age, and what he wants to achieve in life.
“He’ll be sitting there with his manager and his family, weighing it up.
“He has to come to the best decision for him and his family, whatever that is.
“I’m sure he’ll figure it out.”
Roosters players and officials are returning from their post-season trip to the US after their 2019 premiership triumph.
They were the first club to go back-to-back in a united competition since the Broncos in 1992-1993.
Keary said he’s keen to return to training as he prepares for life without retired halfback Cooper Cronk alongside.
“I’m ready to go back to training now,” he said.
“I was in there the other day doing a bit of rehab and I want to (get going).
“Obviously, (Cronk) is one of the best players ever in our game, so you don’t just lose someone like that and just carry on without him.
“But we have a few young kids who are going to have a crack this pre-season to see who takes that (halfback) position.
“Obviously, myself and a few others will take a bit of that load.
“It’s all perspective for us; I look at it like a new season and we need to give ourselves the best chance of winning.”
Originally published as Latrell Mitchell contract news: Luke Keary insists Roosters players love unsettled star